مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - EFFECT OF PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING ON PRE-SERVICE MATHEMATICS TEACHERS’ ACHIEVEMENTS IN MEASUREMENT AND VECTORS TOPICS

Abstract :

In this study, it is aimed to determine the effects of a PBL application related to Measurement and Vectors topics which are the common interest of both physics and mathematics disciplines on the achievements of pre-service mathematics teachers related to these topics. In the study, semi-experimental pre-test post-test research design was used. Totally 66 pre-service teachers who study at Dokuz Eylül University, Buca Education Faculty, Mathematics Education Department participated into the study. The study was executed with two groups consisting of one experimental and one control group. The application of this study was performed in General Physics I Course given in Fall Semester of 2010-2011 academic year. Whereas the students existing in the experimental group (n=30) were instructed by using PBL method on “Measurement” and “Vectors” topics, instruction of the same topics were given to control group (n=36) by using traditional methods. Data of the study were collected by “Measurement and Vectors Achievement Test (MVAT)”. In data analysis, frequency, percentage, mean, standart deviation, and MANOVA test for repeated measurements were used. Results have displayed that for the aforementioned physics topics, achievements of pre-service teachers who were instructed by PBL method are significantly higher than the pre-service teachers’ who were instructed by traditional instruction methods. In the study, certain suggestions were given related to physics education and for future researches.